NYCFC edge Columbus Crew 2-1 in first post-World Cup match
New York City FC defeated the Columbus Crew 2-1 on Wednesday in the first match for both teams following the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Goalkeeper Matt Freese, who started four of five matches for the US national team during the World Cup, made three saves despite being jeered by Columbus fans. Nico Fernandez scored a penalty in the 28th minute and Agustin Ojeda added a goal in the 70th minute to give NYCFC a 2-0 lead. The Crew pulled one back in stoppage time through a Daniel Gazdag penalty after a handball by Thiago Martins. The victory snapped NYCFC's nine-match winless streak in Columbus dating back to 2017. The Crew played without leading scorer Diego Rossi, who was recently transferred to Liga MX's Monterrey. NYCFC defender James Sands made his season debut after returning from an 18-month loan to Germany's FC St. Pauli.
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